Serving as the La Salle Parents and Families chaircouple for 2014–15, Karen and Anthony Mallamaci are excited about the year ahead. Explorer Pride runs deep in the Mallamaci household, as their son, Anthony, is a 2010 graduate and their daughter, Alyssa, is in the Class of 2016.

“My husband and I have grown up in and around Philadelphia. La Salle is a wonderful educational institution in our city, and, given that both of my children are Explorers, our involvement in the Parents’ Association was a natural choice for Anthony and me,” Karen said. “We’ve always been involved in our children’s schooling, but to have such a potentially large impact on the future of La Salle makes this appointment special. We love La Salle just as much as Alyssa and Anthony.”

That love is apparent in the many ways Karen and Anthony give back to La Salle—interacting with prospective and current students and their parents at Open Houses, Opening Day, and Family Weekend and continuously supporting the Parents Fund.

Their children have also made valuable contributions to the University. While at La Salle, Anthony served as vice president of the Ambassadors, raised money at the Phonathon, and helped to build homes and better lives as a coordinator for Project Appalachia in Harlan, Ky.

Alyssa, studying elementary and special education, has taken on a management role at the Phonathon and has volunteered her time tutoring students at inner-city schools across Philadelphia. She is also a valued member of the Ambassadors, the Big E program, and the American Studies board.